Finnish monopolies cleared to offer poker, casino and bingo

Ray and Veikkhaus Oy, which offers pools and fixed odds betting on other sports and online sratch cards, comprise two of the three state monopolies allowed to operate online gambling in mainland Finland. together with Fintoto, which offers racing betting.

The two companies will be free to introduce online poker and casino games after its new licence comes into effect on 1 March, although RAY is understood to be aiming for an August launch. 

Despite challenges from the likes of Ladbrokes and Ålands Penningautomatförening or Paf, the gambling company of Finland’s semi-autonomous Åland islands, Finnish courts have so far held that the monopolies do not violate EU law. 

The decision to allow the two companies to broaden their range of online products may reflect a recognition of growing competition offered by private operators used by Finns. 

Kaisa Fahllund, a partner and head of the technology group at the Helsinki office of law firm Hannes Snellman said: “Basically Finland sticks to its monopoly but the reason that RAY has been allowed to offer these games is to compete with the foreign operators.” No-one from RAY was available for comment at the time of writing.